For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) prices in North America declined by approximately 2.1% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, influenced by weakened demand from packaging and automotive sectors.
• Supply remained balanced, with steady operating rates maintained by major producers such as Dow Chemical and ExxonMobil.
• Subdued export orders and destocking by converters further softened buying interest across the Gulf Coast.
• A 30.8% drop in Ethylene spot prices during Q2 eased the cost burden on olefin monomers, thereby supporting favorable pricing dynamics for POE.
• Logistics disruptions caused by winter storms in the Midwest briefly impacted truck transport, though rail freight remained largely unaffected.
Why did the price of POE change in July 2025 in the US?
• POE prices in the USA remained modestly stable in July 2025.
• End-use demand from automotive and consumer goods remained flat, offering little upward pricing momentum.
• Elevated summer inventories and aggressive offers from South Korean exporters kept local prices under pressure.
• Despite firm Ethylene values, producers opted for margin compression to retain market share.
Europe
• POE prices in Europe dropped 3.4% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as sellers contended with persistent downstream weakness.
• A dip in production costs due to easing Ethylene values offered some pricing flexibility, though it didn’t fully offset weak margins.
• Energy price volatility in influenced operating expenses but had limited impact on POE pricing due to forward hedging by major players.
• Freight costs remained elevated due to constrained container availability, impacting smaller buyers’ landed costs.
Why did the price of POE change in July 2025 in Europe?
• POE prices in Europe remained mostly stable during July 2025.
• Demand conditions were seasonally soft, particularly in construction-related applications.
• Import competition from Asia prevented any meaningful upward price adjustments.
• European suppliers adopted cautious pricing strategies to preserve existing volumes amidst macroeconomic uncertainty.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• POE prices in APAC fell by nearly 2.3% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, largely driven by lackluster demand from packaging and footwear segments.
• Asian producers ran plants at high rates, contributing to regional oversupply.
• Buyers in India and Southeast Asia adopted a wait-and-watch approach amid currency depreciation and uncertain regulatory outlooks.
• Ethylene prices remained supportive across the quarter, limiting drastic cost swings for producers.
• Several sellers preferred to hold prices near breakeven levels to avoid inventory pile-up.
Why did the price of POE change in July 2025 in APAC?
• POE prices in APAC registered a modest stable in July 2025.
• In China, subdued activity in e-commerce packaging and footwear dampened offtake, prompting suppliers to offer discounts.
• Korean suppliers like SK and LG Chem continued to ship material at competitive rates to Southeast Asia.
• Rising feedstock costs were largely absorbed to sustain market share in a demand-constrained environment.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Price Index in North America declined by 1.77% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Spot Price remained stable through most of the quarter but was impacted by ongoing freight delays and port congestion that constrained production efficiency.
• The POE Price Index experienced downward pressure from proposed maritime fee hikes and persistent logistics bottlenecks, which tempered supplier confidence.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Demand Outlook remained moderate, with support from the automotive and construction sectors, although consumer sentiment and high interest rates restrained aggressive purchasing.
• The residential construction segment provided support, but rising material costs—driven by tariffs—hindered broader sector growth.
• The packaging and consumer goods industries faced logistics-related input cost pressures, which slowed POE procurement activity.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Production Cost Trend remained stable due to steady feedstock availability, especially for ethylene, though future logistics fees may impact costs.
Why did the price of Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) change in April 2025 in the US?
• The POE Price Index in April showed slight softening, as demand failed to accelerate and logistics costs continued to pressure buyer sentiment.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Price Forecast for Q2 2025 suggests limited upside unless downstream demand improves substantially and logistics challenges are resolved.
APAC
• The Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Price Index in South Korea declined marginally by 0.81% in Q1 2025.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Spot Price held relatively firm despite a power outage at the Daesan Petrochemical Complex and minor logistical adjustments.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Production Cost Trend remained stable, as ethylene feedstock availability was consistent and power-related disruptions were short-lived.
• POE demand from automotive and construction sectors was subdued, reflecting ongoing challenges in both segments across South Korea and broader APAC.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Demand Outlook remained weak, with only modest recovery in automotive sales and stagnation in construction activity due to high costs and declining investment.
• The easing of global port congestion and new shipping alliances stabilized regional supply flows but did not translate into improved demand.
Why did the price of Polyolefin Elastomer (POE)change in April 2025 in Asia?
• In April 2025 increase in the POE Price Index across Asia was driven by synchronized improvements in demand, regional supply tightening due to maintenance events, and feedstock cost escalation. These factors collectively led to the 0.7% rise in prices.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Price Forecast for Q2 2025 anticipates continued caution, with price stability likely unless China’s demand growth becomes more regionally influential.
Europe
• The Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Price Index in Germany fell by 1.35% in Q1 2025 from the previous quarter.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Spot Price softened mildly, reflecting reduced consumption in the automotive and construction sectors.
• Automotive demand showed some rebound in March but was not strong enough to reverse broader price pressure during the quarter.
• The construction industry remained sluggish across both residential and commercial sectors, with only civil engineering offering signs of potential rebound.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Demand Outlook in Europe remained restrained, as procurement was cautious despite European Central Bank interest rate cuts aimed at stimulating spending.
• Logistical bottlenecks at key European ports such as Hamburg and Rotterdam contributed to delayed shipments and higher yard costs, influencing pricing strategies.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Production Cost Trend decreased slightly, as ethylene prices softened due to lower naphtha values, though cracker capacity cuts limited output flexibility.
• The electrical and packaging sectors offered some resilience, but inflation and market uncertainty limited overall consumption growth.
Why did the price of Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) change in April 2025 in Europe?
• The April 2025 POE price increased marginally by 0.6% in Europe was driven by stabilized logistics, and firming feedstock prices—all culminating in upward price movement.
• Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) Price Forecast into Q2 points to relative price stability with continued downside risk if end-user demand fails to strengthen.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) prices in the US experienced a 4.01% decrease compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a mix of stable supply conditions and moderate demand fluctuations. The decline can largely be attributed to lower demand from the downstream sectors, including construction and packaging, while the automotive sector remained relatively stable. Despite these challenges, suppliers managed to maintain steady production levels and ensure the availability of adequate inventories, preventing more significant price changes.
Throughout the quarter, the automotive sector continued to support POE demand, with sales increasing year-over-year in both November and December. However, the construction sector showed signs of sluggishness, partly due to elevated mortgage rates and a decline in housing starts. Additionally, port congestion and logistical challenges persisted, leading to extended delivery times but not causing major disruptions in the supply chain.
Overall, this price decline reflects the balancing act between adequate inventories, cautious buying behavior, and mixed demand across key sectors, particularly the slowdown in construction activity and the ongoing challenges in the global supply chain. Looking forward, prices are expected to stabilize, supported by steady automotive demand and strategic supplier actions.
APAC
Over the last quarter, the Chinese Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) market experienced a modest price decrease of 4.12%. This decline was largely driven by stable supply conditions and balanced demand dynamics across key sectors. Manufacturing activity showed a positive uptick, supported by a growing automotive sector, which saw steady sales growth. The packaging and consumer goods industries also sustained consistent demand. Despite this, the construction sector showed signs of weakness, contributing to a cautious market sentiment. Construction activities were subdued, with only a slight improvement in December, while the automotive sector continued to perform well, particularly with an 11% increase in passenger vehicle sales in December. In the supply chain, smooth logistical operations ensured a stable flow of POE, with no major disruptions reported. Import data indicated consistent sourcing from key exporters like South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore, which contributed to balanced inventory levels. However, the subdued demand in construction and softening global export orders tempered overall market growth. While domestic demand, particularly from automotive and consumer goods sectors, remained firm, the outlook for POE prices reflects the ongoing uncertainty and the need for continued policy support to boost market recovery. The overall market remains steady but cautious, with a slight contraction in pricing for the quarter.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the price of Polyolefin Octene-based Elastomer (POE) in the German market witnessed a 4.82% decrease, settling at 2690 USD/MT FD-Hamburg by early January 2025. This decline was largely influenced by subdued demand dynamics and easing raw material costs, notably Ethylene, which saw a cumulative 10.1% reduction in November. Adequate inventories and improved supply conditions supported market stability, even as buyers maintained cautious procurement strategies. Manufacturing conditions showed improvement, with normalized production rates and reduced port congestion aiding supply chain resilience. However, weak economic sentiment across Europe and political uncertainties dampened the overall market environment. Inventory management strategies by suppliers and moderated input costs contributed to stable supply levels, preventing sharper price fluctuations. The automotive sector displayed moderate activity, with passenger car registrations experiencing monthly fluctuations but remaining below previous year levels. Meanwhile, the construction sector remained deeply affected by political turmoil and reduced investment confidence, marking persistent declines in activity and new orders. Despite these challenges, the European POE market maintained a balanced supply-demand scenario. However, weak buyer sentiment and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop led to the observed price correction during the quarter, setting a cautious tone for the upcoming sessions.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) market experienced a significant price drop, with the USA seeing the most pronounced changes. The overall trend was characterized by a consistent decline, despite positive performance in key sectors like the Automobile and Construction industries.
The primary driver behind the falling POE prices was the decline in crude oil, which caused olefin monomer prices to drop—directly impacting POE pricing. The market saw a notable -13.82% decrease compared to the same quarter last year and a further -2.71% drop from the previous quarter, reflecting a sustained downward trend.
Oversupply, reduced demand, and ongoing market uncertainties contributed to the bearish sentiment throughout the quarter. The quarter-ending price for Butene-Based POE in the USA was USD 2560/MT FOB New Orleans, underscoring the persistent decline in prices. This negative pricing environment was largely shaped by weakening feedstock costs and muted downstream demand, leading to steady price reductions across the region.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) market in the APAC region experienced a price decline, primarily due to several influencing factors. A key contributor to this decrease was the oversupply relative to demand, which created a downward pricing trend. Additionally, weakened demand from critical sectors such as automotive and construction further impacted pricing. The ongoing drop in crude oil prices significantly affected olefin monomer prices, with Ethylene specifically showing a 5.60% decline from the previous quarter. The market sentiment was predominantly negative, evidenced by a 5.55% decrease compared to the same quarter last year, along with a 1.35% decline from the previous quarter in 2024, reinforcing the downward trajectory. While the automobile sector in the Asian market saw a notable uptick, the construction sector underperformed, particularly in major economies like China, which adversely affected POE demand. By the end of the quarter, the price of Butene-Based POE in Japan settled at USD 2750/MT CFR Tokyo, reflecting the prevailing bearish sentiment in the pricing landscape.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) market in Europe experienced a significant decline in prices, particularly in Germany, which saw the most pronounced changes. The quarter was marked by a challenging market landscape driven by various factors, including reduced demand in crucial sectors like automotive, electronics, healthcare and construction, which played a vital role in pushing prices lower. Additionally, volatile ethylene feedstock costs and lackluster market activity further exacerbated the downward price trend. Recent market updates indicate that producers have reduced the prices of olefin monomers, which has substantially impacted the pricing of POE from end suppliers. However the underperformance in the European economy has majorly affected the price of the POE towards lower side. Compared to the same quarter last year, the prices reflected a notable decrease of -10.76%, underscoring a sustained negative pricing trend. Furthermore, a quarter-on-quarter change of -1.30% highlighted the ongoing decline. By the end of the quarter, the price for Polyolefin Elastomer Butene-Based in Germany reached USD 2560/MT FD Hamburg, illustrating the prevailing bearish sentiment in the market's pricing dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is the current price of POE?
As of June 2025, the price of POE was assessed at USD 2410/MT FOB New Orleans.
2. Who are the top POE producers globally?
Major producers include Dow Chemical, LG Chem, Mitsui Chemicals, and SK Functional Polymer.
3. How is the POE Production Cost Trend impacting global prices?
Although Ethylene prices remained firm, limited demand growth and ample regional availability constrained the cost pass-through to end-users.
